Details about the miraculous survival of a mother and her nine-year-old son, who became lost in bushland for 10 days, have been revealed.
Michelle Pittman, 40, and her son Dylan went bush walking in the Hunter Valley on October 2, and weren’t found until they emerged on Mount Royal Road about 12.30pm on Thursday.
When the pair emerged from the rough terrain of the Mount Royal National Park, they were dehydrated, covered in insect bites – and they had replaced their shoes with reeds, 7 News reported.
‘The body does some strange things when put into stressful situations,’ NSW Ambulance Inspector Steenson said.
Mother Michelle Pittman (pictured) went missing in the Mount Royal National Park with her nine-year-old son 10 days ago
Son Dylan (left) was also found when the pair made it to the side of Mount Royal Road. The pair survived off water from a nearby rock pool and were found in good condition, but dehydrated and covered in insect bites (right)
The mother and son cupped water from a nearby rock pool with leaves, and tied grass around trees to mark their place.
They were reported missing by family members on October 4 when they failed to return and a large-scale search was launched on Monday, when their car was found .
Police, SES, paramedics and National Parks and Wildlife rangers all lent a hand in the desperate quest to find the mother and child.
NSW Police Inspector Joanne Schultz told 7 News the pair were found in good condition.
‘They’re both very well, obviously very relieved, very hungry but otherwise they’re quite good,’ she said.
Michelle and Dylan have been taken to Singleton Hospital to receive treatment for dehydration and insect bites.
The pair were picked up on Mount Royal Road (pictured) by police after a large scale search lasting three days